Character guide

Stephen Knapp

major

Also known as Stevie, Little Stephen, Cosmic Stephen

A young boy who becomes central to the family's transformation.

Lester Knapp

major

Also known as Lester, Knapp

The husband and father, whose life changes dramatically.

Helen Knapp

major

Also known as Helen, XII Helen

The wife and mother, struggling with domestic life.

Mattie Farnham

supporting

Also known as Aunt Mattie, Mattie, Mrs. Farnham

Aunt and neighbor who helps the Knapp family.

Jerome Willing

supporting

Also known as Willing, Jerome

A friend and confidant to the Knapp family.

Henry Knapp

supporting

Also known as little Harry, Henry

The young son of Lester and Helen.

Evangeline Knapp

supporting

Also known as Evie, Eva

The daughter who works and finds fulfillment outside home.

Nell Willing

supporting

Also known as Nell, Ellen O'Hern

A young woman connected to the Willing family.

Mr. Knapp

minor

Also known as That Mr. Knapp

Lester's father, a stern figure in the family.

Father

minor

Also known as poor Father

A paternal figure referenced by the family.

Mother

minor

A maternal figure in the family background.

Mr. Prouty

minor

A local businessman or acquaintance.

Young Mr. Willing

minor

Also known as old Mr. Willing, Mr. Willing

A member of the Willing family, possibly Jerome's relative.

The Doctor

minor

Also known as doctor

A physician who attends to the family.

Miss Flynn

minor

A woman who interacts with the Knapp household.

Old Mrs. Anderson

minor

Also known as Mrs. Anderson

An elderly neighbor or acquaintance.

Teddy

minor

A child or young person in the story.

Mrs. Prouty

minor

Wife of Mr. Prouty, a minor character.

Dr. Merritt

minor

Also known as Dr. Merritt

A doctor who appears in the narrative.

Mrs. Willing

minor

Also known as IX Mrs. Willing, Young Mrs. Willing

A member of the Willing family.

Mrs. Merritt

minor

Wife of Dr. Merritt.

Old Mrs. Hennessy

minor

Also known as Mrs. Hennessy

An elderly woman in the community.

Crawford

minor

A minor character mentioned in passing.

Old J. P. Burnham

minor

Also known as old J. P.

An older figure in the town.

Jim McCarthy

minor

Also known as Little Jim, Jimmy

A young boy or man in the story.

Margaret Donahue

minor

Also known as Margaret

A woman who appears briefly.

Mr. McCarthy

minor

Also known as McCarthy

Father or relative of Jim McCarthy.

Harvey Bronson

minor

Also known as Bronson, Mrs. Harvey Bronson

A local man mentioned in the narrative.

Christian Rossetti

minor

Also known as Christina Rossetti

A historical poet referenced in the text.

Mrs. Peterson

minor

A neighbor or acquaintance.

Uncle Charley

minor

Also known as Charlie

An uncle of one of the characters.

Mrs. Warner

minor

Also known as This Mrs. Warner

A woman in the community.

Mrs. Hemp

minor

A minor female character.

Evelyn Peterson

minor

Also known as Evelyn

A young woman, possibly daughter of Mrs. Peterson.

Mr. Farnham

minor

Husband of Mattie Farnham.

Loren

minor

A minor character mentioned briefly.

Mercy Sadie Bennett

minor

Also known as Sadie Bennett

A woman named in the story.

Mr. Emmet

minor

A minor male character.

Laura Pelman

minor

Also known as Laura J. Pelman

A woman referenced in the narrative.

Blake

minor

A minor character or allusion.